New patterns will be launched on a “tips” basis. If you like what you see and my patterns are of benefit to you, I’d appreciate it if you would tip me whatever you feel they are worth. This is entirely voluntary; if you choose not to tip, it will not affect the trial.

Here is the new “pattern tips jar” button, which is powered by PayPal. It will be visible on the page of all new patterns (and any relaunched ones) that are included in this trial. I currently expect to review this in around 3 months’ time, to see how popular it is!

Remember: the more you tip, the more I’ll be encouraged to design new patterns for your knitting and crochet pleasure. :)

PS: Please bear with me, if there are any hiccups to begin with! You may find this article changes, over the next few days, as I get to grips with how the tip jar model can work.

So, my liebe readers, I’ve sent a bunch of random novelty yarns to a knitting Liebste, by way of a friendly challenge! Una is a pro at upcycling weird yarn so, if she can’t save it, I won’t feel the slightest guilt if it just gets recycled. :) If nothing else, let this be a lesson to you all: do not buy yarn on a whim! (I can’t decide what is worse – the brittle tweed yarn or the entangling ladder lace.) Here’s a photo of the horror package, awaiting Una’s judgement:

Liebster Blog Award

I was kindly nominated for the Liebster Blog Award by Lori of Little Knittle, last year, and never got around to doing anything about it – besides saying “thank you”. (To the best of my knowledge, the Liebster Blog Award was created by Jasmin of Bird of a Paradise, in 2010, to act as a blogger PR campaign. Every nominee, taking part, nominates 3-5 of their favourite blogs – to create a chain of blog love.)

So… I duly nominate the following fabulous blogs, in no particular order, for the Liebster Blog Award and suggest you start reading them immediately:

By way of disclaimer, the blogs are a tad diverse, to say the least. However, they are well worth reading and are authored by some stellar ladies. If you admire patience, kindness and ability to admit shortcomings while still overcoming life’s little challenges (neatly tying this into my post topic) then you’ll find something to amuse and uplift your spirits on a regular basis. :)

Susan Penny, author of many fab books such as Quick Knits Small & Pretty, loves all things handcrafted and is now blogging regularly on knitting, sewing, baking and everything homemade. One of these days, I’m going to find time to guest blog for her… Of course, that may be after my kids have grown up and left home! :p

And, on that note, I’m sorry I haven’t been blogging much recently and I accept, as my own personal challenge, to find more time to design, write and blog in the future. ;)

Remembrance Day was on Monday 11 November, this year. I’m pleased to announce that, up till 11 November 2013, I sold 18 copies of my Remembrance Poppy Brooch pattern – plus a brooch that I crocheted myself, for a customer as a special request. That raised a total Poppy Appeal donation of £4.60 GBP, which I donated online to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

The Royal British Legion provides help and support to members of the Armed Forces – past, present and future – and their families and dependants. Without our brave servicemen and women, the world we live in would be very different. The annual Poppy Appeal and Remembrance Day serve to commemorate, paraphrasing John Maxwell Edmonds’ words, those that “[gave] their tomorrow, [for] our today”. It is with great pride that, through my pattern designing and my lovely customers, I was able to take part in this year’s fundraising efforts.

Everyone who helped test my poppy pattern, bought a pattern, tweeted or liked my links or otherwise helped with my Remembrance Poppy Brooch is deeply appreciated. You have all been part of this year’s remembrance activities and helped raise, not just Poppy Appeal donation funds but also, awareness of the debt that is “owed by so many to so few”.

As it is now past the eleventh day of the eleventh month, any further funds raised from Remembrance Poppy Brooch pattern sales will probably be left to accrue till next year – unless otherwise notified. I can think of no more fitting end to this article than the immortal Ode of Remembrance from Laurence Binyon’s For The Fallen:

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.”